An Appeal for Our Better Nature

Throughout its existence, education has been an important mission of Mountain Top Arboretum and soon we will have a beautiful timber frame Education Center to help strengthen our programming. The building will be constructed entirely with timber harvested from or near the Arboretum’s forest, demonstrating the beauty and value of some 20 native tree species and the talent of local artisans. The Education Center will benefit our local community as well as be a unique tourist destination.

In 2014 the MTA Board of Directors selected Jack Sobon, a noted architect in timber frame construction to create two buildings, a three-bay maintenance barn (completed in 2016, photo to the right) and 2,100 square foot Education Center. Learn more about the environmental design.

The north wing of the Education Center will be single room with vaulted ceiling that will accommodate approximately 75 people in a combination of perimeter benches and movable chair seating. This room will be used for lectures, presentations, demonstration projects and workshops. Its walls will be used for educational displays.

The south wing of the Education Center will house the office of the Executive Director, an assistant’s office, and a small conference room that will also contain the Arboretum’s library of horticultural books. It will be a major benefit to have the Arboretum’s staff on site rather than in town as it is currently. There will also be a full basement for storage and for the building’s mechanical equipment.

These two wings will be joined in the center by a spacious entry, which will also serve the educational function of exhibiting displays and offering brochure material. The entry will be the gateway through which visitors can pass between the parking area and the Arboretum’s various outdoor display areas. It will also provide space for attendance overflow at Arboretum functions.

CONTRIBUTE

The Capital Campaign to raise $1 million for the new Education Center is continuing. To help us bring better education and beauty to the Catskills community, please consider making a gift today.